Part of the joy for me with the Christmas season is shopping for my 11 grandkids and their parents.

This year with the pandemic, I have hardly thought about their gifts. I have been very worried about the small businesses that have been slowly and quietly disappearing. I am afraid that by the end of this pandemic will our only choice to shop be online, or at big box stores, and corporate-owned restaurants?

This year I will be asking the families to chose from one or several privately owned businesses, so I can give to both family and my town.

Connie Sacco,

Butler